Connecting means

ABSTRACT

Connecting means including an edging strip for a sheet of rigid or semi-rigid material, for example for applying to the edges of sheets of cardboard, corrugated cardboard and like materials, to protect the edge of the sheet and to provide a ready means by which the sheet can be secured by means of a securing device which is a snap fit to the edging strip to a similarly equipped sheet to form a knock-down container for articles or to a mounting member.

United States Patent 11 1 Hancock Dec. 17, 1974 [5 CONNECTING MEANS 3,086,626 4/1963 Bowers 52/758 D 3,154,870 11/1964 Hopp et al. 52/758 13 [751 Invent: John Hanan", Egham 3,261,493 7/1966 Smith 52/753 D England 3,359,022 12/1967 RUSSell 52/758 13 3,436,881 4/1969 SchleCht 52/758 D [73] Assgnee' 3:: zg ij figr'gzg sg 3,447,824 6/1969 Brown 52/758 D 22 Filed: Feb. 2, 1973 I Przmary Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder PP N05 329,112 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Karl W. Flocks Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part'of Ser. No, 131,647, April 6,

1971, abandoned. [57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application P i i D t Connecting means including an edging strip for a Feb 4 1972 Gr-eat Britain 5330/72 sheet of rigid or semi-rigid material, for example for applying to the edges of sheets of cardboard, corru- C D gated cardboard and materials, to protect the 511 1116a..III:1 Z IIIIQ. Fl6b 5/06 edge the Sheet and Provide a ready means by [58] Field of i; Q 2 C 753 D which the sheet can be secured by means of a securing 52,753 756 C D 6 device which is a snap fit to the edging strip to a similarly equipped sheet to form a knock-down container 56] References Cited for articles or to a mounting member.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 18 Claims 13 Drawing Figures 2,567,554 9/1951 Davey 52/753 0 PAIENTEL 3. 854.268

SHEET 1 OF 4 PATENTEQLZBIYW 3.854.269

SHEET HlF 4 I CONNECTING MEANS This application is a continuation in part of my Application Ser. No. 131,647 filed April 6th, 1971, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides connection means for connecting the edge of a sheet of material to a member such as the edge of another such sheet comprising:

an edging strip having a beading from which extends integral leg formations positioned to receive the edge of a sheet of material therebetween, the beading defining externally re-entrant formations circumferentially spaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the beading, and

a securing device defining a channel having a plane a symmetry, the securing device having parts extending towards said plane of symmetry, and

the beading and securing device being relatively proportioned that they are a snap fit together with said parts of the securing device received in said reentrant formations.

The beading may be part circular or triangular but preferably is semi-circular sectioned with the leg formations extending from the diametral surface but spaced inwardly of the edges of such surface to provide the re-entrant formations.

The securing device may have a part circular sectioned channel but preferably will have a square sectioned channel with said parts formed as ribs extending inwardly from the parallel arms thereof and for cooperation with a semi-circular sectioned beading having a web extending outwardly from its curved surface.

Preferably the securing device will define two channels each for receiving the beading of an edging strip.

Advantageously, the leg formations are constituted by a pair of flanges extending longitudinally of the beading and may have inwardly directed projections preferably located at their ends remote from the beading to clamp into a sheet of material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively are perspective and end views respectively of an edging strip fitted to an edge of a sheet prior to fixing,

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the edging strip fixed to the sheet,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an edging strip fixed to a sheet and illustrating the use of the strip as a means of attaching the sheet to a pallet,

FIG. 6 shows in section the attachment of the sheet to the pallet,

FIG. 7 shows the pallet with parts broken away for ease of understanding,

FIG. 8 is an end view of a corner construction for two sheets provided with edging strips,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view, partly exploded, of the construction of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is an end view of a modified edging strip and a securing device for connecting two edging strips together,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a corner construction using the edging strips and securing device of FIG. 10,

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further form of securing device associated with two separate similar edging strips of a further form, and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet and edging strip forming a comer joint using an alternative form of securing device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The edging strip of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a substantially cylindrical heading 1 from which integrally formed flanges 2, constituting leg formations, project.

The flanges 2 extend longitudinally of the beading 1 symmetrically one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the beading. The flanges 2 project from the beading 1 at locations which are spaced apart by a distance less than the maximum width of the beading 1 so that the external surface of each flange 2 defines with the adjacent external surface of the beading l a longitudinally extending re-entrant formation 3, the re-entrant formations 3 being spaced apart circumferentially of the Iongitudinal axis of the edging strip by more than 180. The flanges 2 each have a bend 4 so that after fixing to a sheet, as seen in FIG. 4, parts 5 extend substantially parallel with each other. Inwardly directed and preferably inwardly tapering, ribs 6 formed on the free ends of the flanges 2.

The edging strip is preferably formed of extruded aluminium but it may be formed of other suitable material such as a plastics material. Although the beading 1 is shown as solid it 'may be hollow if desired.

In use, the edging strip is first placed along an edge of a sheet 7 so that the edge is embraced by the flanges 2 asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The flanges 2 are then clinched i.e. forced towards each other, so that the ribs 6 bite into the material of the sheet 7 and trap a portion of the sheet of generally wedge-shaped section between the flanges as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The edging strip acts to protect the edge of the sheet to which it is fixed from damage. In addition, it provides a ready means by which the sheet can be secured to a similarly equipped sheet or to another object.

FIG. 5 shows a sheet 10 having a length of edging strip fixed along one edge and carrying a securing device ll. The securing device 11 comprises a part cylindrical sleeve 12 to which a stud 13 is connected by a neck 14. The sleeve 12 is dimensioned to fit snugly over the beading 1 of the edging strip. The stud 13 is in the shape of a cone connected at its base by tapering surfaces to the neck 14.

Preferably the sleeve 12 of the device 11 is formed of a resilient material, metal or plastics, so that it may be snap-fitted onto the beading 1 at any location along the length of the latter. The device 11 may be more firmly fixed in its desired location by indenting the sleeve 12 and the beading 1 as shown at 15 by means of a suitable tool. Alternatively, the beading 1 may be formed with a series of recesses (not shown) to receive an indent preformed in the sleeve 12.

The fixing device 11 in conjunction with the edging strip enables the sheet 10 to be secured to another article or object having an aperture having walls defining or incorporating means for resiliently receiving the stud 13. FIG. 5 shows a pallet 16 with an aperture 17 through which the stud 13 can pass and which leads to a chamber 18 (best seen in FIG. 7) retaining a spring 19 of hairpin shape. As the stud 13 passes between the arms 20 of the spring 19 they move resiliently apart and subsequently move together again to fit closely one on each side of the neck 14 as shown in FIG. 6. Since the spring 19 cannot be pulled or pushed out of its chamber 18, the stud 13 and thus the panel 10 are firmly secured to the pallet 16.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a securing device comprising two part-cylindrical sleeves 31 joined by an integral web 32 to form a corner construction. The device 30 is preferably of light-weight construction and formed by extrusion of aluminium or other suitable metal or of plastics. The sleeves 31 are each dimensioned snugly to receive the beading 1 of an edging strip so that, as shown, when the beading of each of a pair of edged panels 10 is located one in each of the sleeves 31, the panels 10 are held substantially at right angles to each other.

To improve the rigidity and security of such a corner construction, the web 32 of the device 30 has holes 34 (only one shown) at intervals along its length to receive clamps 35. Each clamp 35 comprises a head, longer than it is wide, and a stem 37 dimensioned to pass between the sleeves 31 and through the hole 34 to receive a washer 38 and a cotter pin 39. With the clamp held in place in the hole 34 by means of the washer 38 and cotter pin 39, and the head 36 arranged to extend longitudinally between the sleeves 31 additional rigidity is imparted to the corner construction. On turning the clamp 35 through 90, the head 36 extends longitudinally across the sleeves 31 pressing them into engagement with their respective beadings 1 thus imparting further rigidity to the corner construction.

The modified edging strip of FIGS. 10 and 11 differs from the edging strip previously described in that the beading 1a is of generally triangular cross-section instead of substantially circular crosssection. In other respects, method of construction, method of attachment to a sheet of materials, and materials from which it is constructed, the modified edging strip is the same. In addition the modified edging strip may be used with securing devices 11 as described with reference to FIG. 5 and thus be used to attach the sheet on which it is secured to a panel as described with references to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The modified edging strip may also be used with a securing device 30 as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIGS. 10 and 11 also show a further modified securing device 40 which, as can be seen from FIG. 11, is similar to and performs the function of the securing device 30. The device 40 comprises two part-cylindrical sleeves 41 integrally joined and thus differs from the device 30 by the omission of the web 32 so that the need for clamps 35 to provide rigidity is eliminated. The modified device 40 is particularly suitable for use with the modified edging strips. The modified edging strips can be inserted into a sleeve 41, or a sleeve 31, by inserting the beading 1a at an angle into the sleeve, see FIG. 10, until one edge of the sleeve engages in one of the re-entrant formations of the edging strip and rotating the edging strip about its longitudinal axis in the appropriate direction (anticlockwise as shown in FIG. 10) to engage the other edge of the sleeve in the other re-entrant formation of the edging strip.

Both the devices 30 and 40 may be designed to hold two panels provided with edging strips in alignment with each other, as shown in FIG. 10, or at right-angles to each other, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, or at any other desired angle.

Referring now to FIG. 12 a further embodiment of edging strip 1 12 comprises a substantially semi-circular sectioned beading 113 from the diametral surface of which integrally formed flanges constituting leg formations 114 project. The joints between the leg formations 114 and the beading 113 are spaced inwardly of the edges of the diametral side of the beading so as to provide re-entrant formations 115. The strip additionally comprises a web 116 extending between the leg formations in the plane of symmetry between the leg formations and a web 117 extending outwardly of the curved surface of the beading in the same plane as the web 116. An inwardly directed rib 118 is provided at the free end of each of the leg formations 114.

In use the edging strip is placed along the edge of a sheet of material 119 (FIG. 13) so that the edge is embraced by the leg formations 114 and these are then clinched together so that the ribs 118 bite into the material of the sheet and trap a portion of the sheet of generally wedge shaped section between the flanges. As seen the shape of the beading is such as to provide curved tapering surfaces with the width of the beading increasing towards the legs so that its widest part is divided from the starts of the re-entrant formations by sharp angles, in this case around The angles of the walls defining the re-entrant formations relative to the arms 121, 122 of a securing device dictate the disengagement forces required.

A further embodiment of securing device 120 comprises a strip of generally squared channel formation, in the example of FIG. 1 defining two generally squared channel formations, having substantially parallel arms 121, 122 and a common base wall 123. The longer arm 121 is formed with an'outwardly turned over flange 124 and both arms are provided with inwardly directed ribs 125 (that is ribs extending towards the plane of symmetry of the channel) oppsite one another at the location of the end of the shorter arm 122.

The edging strip and securing device are arranged to be snap fitted together. As seen in FIG. 12 in the upper right hand portion, the edging strip is first engaged with the securing device at an angle thereto with one rib 125 entered into one re-entrant formation 115, the other rib 125 engaging the curved cam surface of the other side of the beading and the top of the web 1 l7 engaging the arm 121. One leg formation 114 and the arm 121 are then gripped by pliers or mole grips and the edging strip and securing device relatively rotated in the direction of the arrow so that the arm 121 flexes outwardly until the other rib 125 snaps into the other re-entrant formation. In this position the end of the web 117 engages or is adjacent the base wall 123. The engaged position is shown in the bottom left hand part of FIG. 12.

In order to disengage the edging strip from the securing device it may he slid out parallel to the lengths of the edging strip and securing device: Alternatively a tool 127 such as a screwdriver can have its end inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the edging strip, twisting of this tool against the flange 124 on the securing device then forces the edging strip out of engagement with the securing device.

This embodiment of edging strip differs from those previously described in that the three lines of contact with the securing device, namely at the web 117 and the re-entrant formations, do not lie on the circumference of a common circular sectioned cylinder.

The modified securing device shown in FIG. 13 has a single channel with a flange 130 integral with the end of the shorter arm 122 of the channel. Such an arrangement is particularly useful for forming a comer joint between for example one edged sheet 119 and a pallet or lid 129 of a box with the pallet or'lid 129 secured to the flange 130 for example by bolts 131.

It will be appreciated that other shapes of securing devices having more than one channel formation for securing sheets at angles to one another can be provided.

What is claimed is:

1. Connection means for connecting the edge of a sheet of material to a membersuch as the edge of another such sheet comprising: an edging strip having a beading having a longitudinal axis from which beading extend integral leg formations positioned to receive the edge of a sheet of material therebetween, the beading defining externally re'entrant formations circumferentially spaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the beading, the beading having a maximum width on the opposite side of the re-entrant formations from the leg formations, and a securing device defining a channel having a plane of symmetry, the securing device having parts extending towards said plane of symmetry, said parts having ends spaced apart by a distance slightly less than said maximum width, and the beading and securing device being relatively proportioned for snap fitting together by first inserting a first of said parts in one of the re-entrant formations with the other part contacting the beading and then relatively rotating the beading and securing device with said first part acting as a pivot until the other part engages in the other reentrant formation.

2. Connection means between edges of sheets of material for connecting the edge of one sheet to the edge of another sheet, comprising: two edging strips, each having a beading having a longitudinal axis from which beading extend integral leg formations positioned to receive between them and clamp the edge of one of the sheets of material, each edging strip defining externally re-entrant formations circumferentially spaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the beading means, each beading having a maximum width on the opposite side of the re-entrant formation from the leg formations, a securing device defining a pair of channels, each having a plane of symmetry and each having parts extending towards its plane of symmetry, said parts having ends spaced apart by distances slightly less than said maximum widths, the channels of the securing device and the beadings of the edging strips being relatively proportioned for snap fitting together by first inserting a first of said parts in one of the re-entrant formations with the other part contacting the beading and then re]- atively rotating the beading and securing device with said first part acting as a pivot until the other part engages in the other re-entrant formation.

3. Connection means for connecting the edge of a sheet of material to a member such as the edge of another such sheet comprising: an edging strip having a beading of substantially semicircular section having a curved surface and a diametral surface, from which diametral surface extend two spaced integral leg formations spaced inwardly from the edges of the diametral surface to define externally re-entrant formations between the leg formations defining between them a channel to receive the edge of a sheet of material, and a securing device defining a substantially square section channel having a pair of substantially parallel arms connected by a base and a pair of ribs projecting towards each other from the arms, the ribs having ends spaced apart a distance less than the diametral width of the-beading, whereby the beading and securing device are designed to be snap fitted together with the ribs received in the re-entrant formations.

4. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the channel is of part circular section.

5. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading tapers to increase in width towards the side from which the legs project right up to angled edges defining the starts of the re-entrant formations.

6. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading is of generally triangular section.

7. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading is of part circular section.

8. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the junctions of the leg formations with the beading define the re-entrant formations.

9. Connections means according to claim 1 in which the leg formations have inwardly directed projections.

10. Connection means according to claim 9 in which the inwardly directed projections are located at the ends of the leg formations remote from the beading.

11. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading is substantially semi-circular sectioned having a curved surface and a diametral surface and the leg formations project from the diametral surface and are spaced inwardly from the edges of this surface to provide the re-entrant formations.

12. Connection means according to claim 1 l including a first web extending outwardly from the curved surface of the beading.

l3. Connection means according to claim 11 including a second web extending between the leg formations.

14. Connection means according to claim 11 in which the securing device defines a substantially square section channel having a pair of substantially parallel arms connected by a base and the said parts are in the form of ribs projecting inwardly towards each other from the arms.

15. Connection means according to claim 14 including a first web extending outwardly from the curved surface of the beading, the beading and first web being located within the channel of the securing device with the end of the first web adjacent the base of the channel.

l6. Connection means according to claim 15 in which the end of the first web and the ends of said ribs 7 8 do not lie on the circumference of a common circular l8. Connection means accordinig to claim 14 in sectioned cylmderwhich the securing device is formed with an additional 17. Connection means according to claim 14 in which one of the arms is longer than the other and the longer arm is formed with an outwardly turned flange. Parallel to the baseflange extending outwardly therefrom substantially 

1. Connection means for connecting the edge of a sheet of material to a member such as the edge of another such sheet comprising: an edging strip having a beading having a longitudinal axis from which beading extend integral leg formations positioned to receive the edge of a sheet of material therebetween, the beading defining externally re-entrant fOrmations circumferentially spaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the beading, the beading having a maximum width on the opposite side of the re-entrant formations from the leg formations, and a securing device defining a channel having a plane of symmetry, the securing device having parts extending towards said plane of symmetry, said parts having ends spaced apart by a distance slightly less than said maximum width, and the beading and securing device being relatively proportioned for snap fitting together by first inserting a first of said parts in one of the re-entrant formations with the other part contacting the beading and then relatively rotating the beading and securing device with said first part acting as a pivot until the other part engages in the other re-entrant formation.
 2. Connection means between edges of sheets of material for connecting the edge of one sheet to the edge of another sheet, comprising: two edging strips, each having a beading having a longitudinal axis from which beading extend integral leg formations positioned to receive between them and clamp the edge of one of the sheets of material, each edging strip defining externally re-entrant formations circumferentially spaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the beading means, each beading having a maximum width on the opposite side of the re-entrant formation from the leg formations, a securing device defining a pair of channels, each having a plane of symmetry and each having parts extending towards its plane of symmetry, said parts having ends spaced apart by distances slightly less than said maximum widths, the channels of the securing device and the beadings of the edging strips being relatively proportioned for snap fitting together by first inserting a first of said parts in one of the re-entrant formations with the other part contacting the beading and then relatively rotating the beading and securing device with said first part acting as a pivot until the other part engages in the other re-entrant formation.
 3. Connection means for connecting the edge of a sheet of material to a member such as the edge of another such sheet comprising: an edging strip having a beading of substantially semicircular section having a curved surface and a diametral surface, from which diametral surface extend two spaced integral leg formations spaced inwardly from the edges of the diametral surface to define externally re-entrant formations between the leg formations defining between them a channel to receive the edge of a sheet of material, and a securing device defining a substantially square section channel having a pair of substantially parallel arms connected by a base and a pair of ribs projecting towards each other from the arms, the ribs having ends spaced apart a distance less than the diametral width of the beading, whereby the beading and securing device are designed to be snap fitted together with the ribs received in the re-entrant formations.
 4. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the channel is of part circular section.
 5. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading tapers to increase in width towards the side from which the legs project right up to angled edges defining the starts of the re-entrant formations.
 6. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading is of generally triangular section.
 7. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading is of part circular section.
 8. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the junctions of the leg formations with the beading define the re-entrant formations.
 9. Connections means according to claim 1 in which the leg formations have inwardly directed projections.
 10. Connection means according to claim 9 in which the inwardly directed projections are located at the ends of the leg formations remote from the beading.
 11. Connection means according to claim 1 in which the beading is substantially semi-circular sectioned having a curved surface and a diAmetral surface and the leg formations project from the diametral surface and are spaced inwardly from the edges of this surface to provide the re-entrant formations.
 12. Connection means according to claim 11 including a first web extending outwardly from the curved surface of the beading.
 13. Connection means according to claim 11 including a second web extending between the leg formations.
 14. Connection means according to claim 11 in which the securing device defines a substantially square section channel having a pair of substantially parallel arms connected by a base and the said parts are in the form of ribs projecting inwardly towards each other from the arms.
 15. Connection means according to claim 14 including a first web extending outwardly from the curved surface of the beading, the beading and first web being located within the channel of the securing device with the end of the first web adjacent the base of the channel.
 16. Connection means according to claim 15 in which the end of the first web and the ends of said ribs do not lie on the circumference of a common circular sectioned cylinder.
 17. Connection means according to claim 14 in which one of the arms is longer than the other and the longer arm is formed with an outwardly turned flange.
 18. Connection means accordinig to claim 14 in which the securing device is formed with an additional flange extending outwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the base. 